Toggle operated pliers



June 22, 1965 c. H. ORTMAN' 3,190,155.

I'OGGLE OPERATED PLIERS Filed Nov. 18. 1962 l ll \ a al Q on In mimw O n n 7E1 A \V G l 4 I I V I x 3,190,155 TOGGLE OPERATED PLIERS Charles H. Ortman, Chardon, Ohio, assignor of one-third to Ira J. Warner, Cleveland, Ohio Filed Nov. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 238,102

' 4 Claims. (Cl. 81-3-79) My invention-relates topliers of the pivoted jaw vise grip type, and more particularly to'plier's of this type having a movable jaw and .a fixed jaw and means associated therewith for normally urging the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw for applying an initial limited pressure on a piece inserted betweentlie jaws, and having means for quickly exerting and releasably locking a subsequent powerful grip on the piece between the jaws. The present invention constitutes an improvement over the structure disclosed in my Patent No. 2,988,941, granted June 20, 1961.

An object of the present invention is to construct a tool such as pliers of the above mentioned type which is of extremely simple construction and yet which, by virtue of such construction, enables the user to grip a piece between the jaws of the tool by application of only a relatively light closing pressure on the handles of the tool whereby pliers to receive a workpiece of selected size and to subsequently, by the manual application of a relatively light closing force on the handles, positively grip and hold the piece in the tool. I v

A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple cam operated means by which to exert a multiplied closing force to the jaws of the tool.

A further object of the invention is the provision of United States Patent "ice . 2 terminating at its forward endin a relatively enlarged fixed jaw portion 2, there being a toothed or serrated jaw element 3 secured therein by means of a rivet 4.

A' pivoted handle Sis pivotally connected by a 6 j at its forward end to the movable jaw member 7, the movable jaw being pivotally mounted on a center defined by the pin 8. Both the handles 1 and 5 are of channel form in cross section through substantially the entire length. A pressure multiplying member which is in the formof a lever 9 is pivotally mounted at its forward end in the forward end of the movable handle 5 by rneans of a pin 10 and extends toward the fixed handle '1 and terminates in a portionlllying 'and movable within the channel portion of the handle 1.

A coil spring 12 is connected at one end with the movable jaw 7 by having that end of the spring for-med to be hooked within an opening '13 in the movable jaw 7 and having its other end hooked into an openingi14 formed :spectively, are arranged such that the .pin 6' lies slightly means in a tool of the character described which can be quickly adjusted to apply a vise-like grip to workpieces of diiferent sizes.

V j A still further object of the invention is the provision of pliers consisting of a minimum number of parts effective to apply a closing force to the jaws of the tool many times that of the initial manual closing force applied to the handlesof the tool whereby a piece of selected size may be quickly and positively gripped between the jaws under strong gripping forces. Other objects and advantages of the invent-ion will become more apparent as the following descriptions of two embodiments thereof progresses, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. i j

In the drawings:- FIGURE 1 is a side elevationof a-tool such as pliers wherein the jaws are shown as in normally closed position but not gripping a piece therebetween, this View eliminattions;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to that of FIGURE land in'the member 9 thereby tending to normally draw the member 9 and the movable jaw 7 toward each other.

a The free end' of the member 9, that is, that portion which slides within the channel formation ofthe rigid handle 1, is formed with a bearing heel 15 along its forward .face while the edge 16 is inclined rearwardly away from the bottom of the channel of the handle 1 so as to give clearance as the bearing heel bears against the bottom l l of the channel in any one of a number of adjusted positions along the channel, as will be pointed out more clearly hereinafter. The spring 12 also exerts a pulling pressure on the member. 9 to keep the bearing heel in engagement withthe bottom of the channel of the handle 1.

It will be noted' from -the drawing first in FIGURE 1 that the centers representedby the pins 10, 6and 8, re-

to'the right of a straight line drawn from the centers of pins 10 and 8. This occurs when the jaws are in normal closed position but not engaging a piece therebetween.

Referring to FIGURE 2 in which the jaws of the pliers engage a piece P therebetween, it will be noted that the centers represented by pins .lii, 62nd 8, assume a ditlerent relative position, that is, the center represented by pin 6 now lies to the left of a straight line drawn through the centers 10 and 8. 1 t The movable jaw member 7 is formedwith a workpiece gripping portion =17 .which is adapted, in' connection with the insert 3, to effectively receive and grip a workpiece P v therebetween when the handles are relatively moved to ward each other as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

I provide quick adjustable means-whereby the pressure multiplying member 9 may be fixed'at its end portion 11 in any one of a number of selected positions along the channel of the handle 1.

g In FIGURES-1 and 2, one form of such means isillustrated as including bracket 18 preferably formed integrally with the side walls of the channel of handle 1 and projected inwardly in the direction of handle 5; The bracket rotatably carries a cam19 having cam face 20 extending from and gradually in anupward direction from the low 7 area at 21 to the high area 22. A dog 23 is .pivotally illustrates therelat-ive positions of the parts when the pliers grip a piece between thejaws thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken in the direction of the arrows and on -line'3-3 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary viewillustrating an adjust- 1 able dog means.

In carrying out my invention l provide a handle 1 mounted at 24 in the handle 1 and is provided with a curved edge 25 for sliding contact with the inclined cam face 20 which, when the cam is rotatedin one direction, will move the dog in a counter clockwise direction about the center or pin 24 to engage the dogs pointed nose 26 with the edge 27 of the member 9 under pressure since the heel 15 of the member 9 is in engagement with the bottom of the channel of handle 1 by virtue of the tension of the spring 12, as indicated in FIGURE 2.,

.A'releasable lock for holding the jaws 3 and 17 intight gripping relation to the workpiece P is shown as corn- 7 prising a lever 28 pivotally mounted at one endyas at 29 on the handle 1 and extending laterally of the pliers tof side of such .a lineas in FIGURE -2. i V

Since the spring '12 is under initial tension connecting I v H i ward and througha slot 30 in the handle 5. The terminal end 31 of the'lever 28 is of reduced width and is formed to overlie that portion of one wall of the handle defining the slot to prevent displacement of the lever therein and to limit the outwardmovement of the handle 5 as urged by the spring 12 and its tension applied to the pivoted jaw imember'7. e T

The lever 28 is formed with an opening 32through which the pin 33 fixed in and disposed transversely of the channel of the handle 5 passes. The opening 32 is of elongate form longitudinally of the lever and is characterized by a relatively wideportion 34 defining a ledge 35 against'which the pin;33 lies, as in FIGURE 2, when a workpiece is in the jaws 3 and 17, and a relatively narrow.

portion 36 for receiving the pin as in FIGURE 1 when no workpiece is engaged by the jaws.

In use, the jaws 2 and 7 are readily moved from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to an open positionto re- .c eive apiece P therebetween, asshown in FIGURE 2, y x

by gripping the handle 1 at its lower end in one hand and the handle 5 in the other hand, by pulling on the handle 5 in a direction away from handle 1 to open the jaws. In so doing, and by having the cam 19 turned so that the cam face area adjacent the lowest point,as at 20, is positioned as in FIGURE 1,.thedog23will liejout of contact with the member 9 thus permitting theend portion 11 ofthe .member to slide along the channel of handle 1 toward the dog. The spring 12 at the same time'will' pull the memher 9 to keep the heel 15 in contact with the bottom wall of the channeled handle ,1, as in .both FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2. r t a,

As the handles are relatively moved'in opposite directions, the handle Swill swing outwardly about the pin 10,'thus drawing the pin 6 connecting the end of handle 5 and the movable jaw 7 from the position in FIGURE '1 to that in FIGURE :2. Thusthe pin 6 in the former .po sition lies on one side of a straight imaginary line drawn through the centers of the pins 8 andi10 to the opposite the member. 9 with the jaw 7 at a point between and slight 1y rearwardly or the said imaginary line, relative outward movement of the handles will place the spring under increased tension. 7

With the jaws separated to receive and grip the. piece P as in FIGURE 2, the tension ofthe'spring will tend to close the. jaws on the piece with a preliminary gripping force when the handle 5is released.

- The dogj2 3 is then moved toward the edge 27- of thel.

member 9 until the nose 26 firmly engagesthe member at this point and this is accomplished by rotating the cam 19 in a counter clockwise direction' to bring an upwardly inclined area of the cam face 20 into binding contact with the curved lower edge of the dog 23, as shown in FIG- By thus applying a manual closingpriessurefon the haridles, the gripping force of the jaws on the piece is et- 5 fectively multiplied through the pin 6; connecting the movable jaw 7 with the handle 1. As thispressure is thus multiplied, the handles may be 'elfectivelylocke'd in such position as a result of the'pin 33 e'nterin'g and being held in the seat formed between the walls 34. and 35.

To. release the grip of the jaws on thepiece. P, it is curved edge engageable theinclined cani surface- 20 and as the cam is rotated in a clockwise direction, the .dog

will be urged about the axis of pin 41 to engage its pointed end 43 with the edge 27 of the member 9. In order: to

limit undesirable clockwise movement of the dog, I pro-.

videa pin 44 carried in transversely alignedearsAS.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of. parts of. the invention without departingfrom the spirit thereof pended claims.

I claim: I g 1. In a tool of the classdescribed, a handle having a relatively fixed jaw, a relatively movable handle, a movor the scope of the aprable jaw-pivotally connected with the. movable: handle "and .fixed jaw, means pivotally carried at one end on the movable handle for sliding engagement atitsotherprid with the other handle when the handles are moved toward and away from each other, tension means connecting-said movable jaw with said first means tending j normally to I urge the jaws toward closed position, means limitingthe sliding movement of the first'means with respect to said other handle when a workpiece is grippedbetween the jaws, said slide limiting means comprising amemberpivotally supported in said otherhandle, for engagement with. said first means, and adjustable means on said other handle forengagement-with said member-while. said memi her is in engagement with said first means fro-thereby 2. In a toolof the class described, a

ward and away from each other, tension means connecting said movable jaw with said. first means tendingno'rmally to urgethe jaws toward closed position, cam means limiting the sliding movement of the I first means with respect to said other handle when a workpiece is gripped between the jaws, said 'slide limiting meansjcornprising a 'member pivotallyfsupported in said otherhandle-for e n- I gagenient with said first means, andadjustable means on i said other handle for engagement with said memberwhile said member is inengagement with .said'first means tothereby preventnfurther. sliding movement of thefir'st means with respect to the said other handle as the jaws are brought into final gripping relation to .awor'kpiece. 3. In a tool of the classfdescribed, a handle; having a relatively fixed jaw, a relatively movable handle, a movable jaw pivotally connected with the movable handle and fixed jaw, means pivotally carried atone end on the movable handle for sliding engagement at its other-{end with the other handlefwhen the handles are moved toward and away from each other, tension means connecting'said movable jaw withsaidfirst means tending normally to 'merely necessary toshift the'leverf28 by thurnb pressure .on the lip31 in a rearward direction touns elatthe pin 33 from the seat betweenthe walls 34 and 35 and to seat the pin in the seat 36. Afterthe multiplied pressur'e'is' reto thereby prevent further' sliding movement of the fir st leased, the cam may be rotate'd in'a reverse 'directiorgthus releasing the pressure of the 'dog 23' againstthe member'j9r In FIGURE 4, I have showna modified form of holding .means for the member- 9. The dog 40 is suppdrtedby a pin 41 operating in laterally aligned slots 42inthle'handle 1 side walls, so that the dog is capable of bothpivotal and sliding movement along'the slots 42,- As disclosed 'inconnection and 2,'the dog has a 'urge the jaws toward closed position, cam meanslimiting the sliding movement of the first means with-respect to said other handle when a workpiece is'gripped between the jaws, said slide limiting means comprising amember. .pivotally and slidably supported in said other-handle for engagement with said first means, and adjustablelmeans on said other handle for engagement with said member while said member is in engagement with said first means means with respect to the said other handle as thejaws are brought into final gripping-relation to, a workpiece.

4, In a tool of the class described, a handle havin'g'a relatively fixed jaw, a relatively movable handle, a movable jaw' pivotally 'c'onnectedfwith' the movable; handle and fixed jaw, means pivotally' carried at one'end on the movable handle for sliding engagement at its other end with the other handle when the handles. are moved toward and away from each other, tension means connecting said movable jaw with said first means tending nor- 7 mally to urge the jaws toward closed position, cam means limiting the sliding movement of the first means with respect to said other handle when a workpiece is gripped between the jaws, said slide'limiting means comprising a member pivotally supported in said other handle for engagement with said first means, and adjustable means on said other handle for engagement with said member while said member is in engagement with said first means to thereby prevent further sliding movement of the first means with respect to the said other handle as the jaws are brought into final gripping relation to a workpiece, one of the pivotal axes of the movable jaw being shiftable to one side or the other of a straight line passing through the other pivotal axis of themovable jaw and the pivotal axis of said first means on said movable handle to open the jaws to receive the workpiece therebetween and in a reverse direction as the handles are moved to grip a-workpiece in the jaws to impose a multiplied gripping effort on the workpiece.

7 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM FELDMA N, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A TOOL OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A HANDLE HAVING A RELATIVELY FIXED JAW, A RELATIVELY MOVABLE HANDLE, A MOVABLE JAW PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH THE MOVABLE HANDLE AND FIXED JAW, MEANS PIVOTALLY CARRIED AT ONE END ON THE MOVABLE HANDLE FOR SLIDING ENGAGEMENT AT ITS OTHER END WITH THE OTHER HANDLE WHEN THE HANDLES ARE MOVED TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, TENSION MEANS CONNECTING SAID MOVABLE JAW WITH SAID FIRST MEANS TENDING NORMALLY TO URGE THE JAWS TOWARD CLOSED POSITION, MEANS LIMITING THE SLIDING MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST MEANS WITH RESPECT TO SAID OTHER HANDLE WHEN A WORKPIECE IS GRIPPED BETWEEN THE JAWS, SAID SLIDE LIMITING MEANS COMPRISING A MEMBER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED IN SAID OTHER HANDLE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST MEANS, AND ADJUSTABLE MEANS ON SAID OTHER HANDLE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST MEANS TO THEREBY BER IS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST MEANS TO THEREBY PREVENT FURTHER SLIDING MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST MEANS WITH RESPECT TO THE SAID OTHER HANDLE AS THE JAWS ARE BROUGHT INTO FINAL GRIPPING RELATION TO A WORKPIECE. 